Baseball

Bronco Rally Falls Short in Narrow Loss To USF

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
University of San Francisco pitcher Kevin Rose struck out nine batters and limited Santa Clara to just one hit in just over six innings as the Dons took a 2-1 West Coast Conference victory over the Broncos Friday at Buck Shaw Stadium.

With the win, Rose improved to 4-2 on the season and helped keep the Dons (13-12, 4-0 WCC) undefeated in league games. USF's Patrick McGuigan earned his fourth save of the season, while senior Chad Fillinger (3-5) took the loss for the Broncos.

Santa Clara fell to 12-15 on the season and 1-3 in the conference. The two teams play the second game of its three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium. The finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Both starting pitchers fared well in the game with Santa Clara's Fillinger going seven full innings and allowing just three hits and one earned run. He struck out seven batters and walked only one. Combined, the two teams only managed six hits in the game.

After three full scoreless innings to open the contest, San Francisco opened the scoring with a single run in the fourth. Leadoff batter Andrew Smith reached first base on a bunt then advanced to second just a couple of pitches later on a stolen base. After Fillinger forced Armand Gaerlan to fly out to centerfield, USF's Chris Genung doubled to left centerfield to score Smith. He was left stranded on second base after Blake Nelson and Nick Cirbo both flied out.

In the top of the fifth inning, USF posted the eventual game winner when Joe Jacobitz advanced home from second base on a throwing error by Bronco first baseman Will Thompson. Jacobitz opened the inning with a walk and reached second base when Scott Cousins laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Fillinger.

With two outs in the inning, Michael Thompson scored for Santa Clara as Chiarelli walked before the Dons made a pitching change to bring McGuigan into the game. He quickly struck out pinch hitter Nathan Faulkner to end the inning and stranding SCU's three baserunners.

The Broncos conducted one last rally in the bottom of the ninth when McColgan reached on a fielding error by shortstop Gaerlan. Chiarelli reached first on a fielder's choice as Genung threw out McColgan at second. Mark Folgner grounded into a double play to Genung to end the game.